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2003 Pontiac Grand Am

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Grand Am years

Owner complaints for the 2003 Pontiac Grand Am are substantially higher than the model-year median of 82.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

238 reports with mileage · 87 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 134 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Exterior Lighting. Review the 65 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 35 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

27 crash reports5 fire reports23 injury reports

Air Bags complaints

20 reports
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70,000 miles · Jan 13, 2020
Air BagsUnknown Or OtherVehicle Speed Control

**THIS IS NOT A STANDARD 2003 PONTIAC, SINGLE OWNER CURRENT MILEAGE OF 70,000** UPON VEHICLE REACHING OPERATING TEMPERATURE IT EXHIBITS THE SYMPTOMS OF RECALL #04092 124/ ACCELERATOR PEDAL ARM.FAILURE RESULTS IN LOSS OF RPM AND SPEED CONTROL.THIS ITEM WAS ADDRESSED ON 1-11-2004 BY APPROVED DEALER. CAR LAST FAILURE OCCURRENCE W…

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**THIS IS NOT A STANDARD 2003 PONTIAC, SINGLE OWNER CURRENT MILEAGE OF 70,000** UPON VEHICLE REACHING OPERATING TEMPERATURE IT EXHIBITS THE SYMPTOMS OF RECALL #04092 124/ ACCELERATOR PEDAL ARM.FAILURE RESULTS IN LOSS OF RPM AND SPEED CONTROL.THIS ITEM WAS ADDRESSED ON 1-11-2004 BY APPROVED DEALER. CAR LAST FAILURE OCCURRENCE WAS ON 1/12/2020. THIS VEHICLE WAS ALSO INCLUDED IN RECALL#14350 IGNITION SWITCH. WHEN FAILURE OCCURS LOSS OF POWER,SPEED,AIR BAGS,ECT.. INITIAL RECALL REPAIR WAS ON 3-07-2014. AT THAT TIME A NEW KEY WAS CUT TO RESOLVE ISSUE. FAILURE HAS REOCCURED, LAST TIME BEING 12-23-19 WHILE DRIVING MID DAY NO EXCESSIVE TEMP OR DRIVING CONDITIONS.

NHTSA ODI #11299042

60,000 miles · Aug 19, 2016
Air BagsElectrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HORN WORKED INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG MELTED ONTO THE ELECTRICAL PARTS INSIDE THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

NHTSA ODI #10897153

58,494 miles · Jul 13, 2015
Air BagsElectrical SystemFuel/propulsion SystemCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC GRAND AM. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT A COMPLETE STOP, THE PRECEDING VEHICLE REVERSED AND CRASHED INTO THE FRONT OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC GRAND AM. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT A COMPLETE STOP, THE PRECEDING VEHICLE REVERSED AND CRASHED INTO THE FRONT OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW FUEL PUMP AND IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), BUT THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT A TECHNICIAN FROM THE MANUFACTURER CAME OUT TO ASSESS THE VEHICLE, BUT THE CONTACT BELIEVED THE PROCEDURE WAS NOT DONE CORRECTLY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,494.

NHTSA ODI #10733585

29,002 miles · May 6, 2015
Air BagsElectrical SystemCrashInjury

AT 29,000 MILES IN 2006 THE IGNITION WOULD NOT TURN. CAR TOWED TO AUTHORIZED PONTIAC DEALER WHERE I WAS TOLD THE IGNITION CYLINDER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE COST FOR THE IGNITION CYLINDER WAS $327.00 I WAS STRUCK BY A UTILITY TRUCK WHILE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT IN 2013 AND THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. AT APPROXIMATELY 58,…

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AT 29,000 MILES IN 2006 THE IGNITION WOULD NOT TURN. CAR TOWED TO AUTHORIZED PONTIAC DEALER WHERE I WAS TOLD THE IGNITION CYLINDER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE COST FOR THE IGNITION CYLINDER WAS $327.00 I WAS STRUCK BY A UTILITY TRUCK WHILE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT IN 2013 AND THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. AT APPROXIMATELY 58,000 MILES THE CAR WON'T START.AGAIN TOWED TO A PONTIAC DEALER. TOLD I NEED A NEW IGNITION CYLINDER FOR A COST OF $447.82. PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT, WHEN THE KEY WAS TURNED THE SECURITY LIGHT AND AIRBAG LIGHT WOULD STAY ILLUMINATED LONGER THAN USUAL. THERE HAS BEEN A CLICKING SOUND COMING FROM DASHBOARD AND AT TIMES WHILE DRIVING ON A SHIFTED LEVEL ROAD (EXAMPLE: END OF A HIGHWAY RAMP , BACKING OUT OF AN UNEVEN DRIVEWAY) THE CAR HAS TURNED OFF. THERE HAS ALSO AT TIMES BEEN DIFFICULTY TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. OFTEN TIMES IT TURNED EASILY AND OTHER TIMES IT WOULDN'T TURN AT ALL. 2015 GENERAL MOTORS TOLD ME THIS WASN'T PASSED ON FOR INVESTIGATION BECAUSE I DIDN'T PROVIDE A PHOTO OF THE VEHICLE BEFORE THE BODYWORK WAS DONE ALTHOUGH THEY RECEIVED THE REPAIR BILL. I STILL DON'T HAVE A DRIVEABLE CAR AND AM UNSURE IF THIS CAR WOULD EVEN BE SAFE TO DRIVE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10715017

139,000 miles · Mar 30, 2015
Air BagsSteeringCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME EXTREMELY TIGHT AND DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT APPLIED FORCE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL WHICH DID NOT STOP THE VEHICLE, CAUSING THE CONTACT TO VEER TO THE RIGHT AND CRASH INTO A CURB AND THEN A STOP S…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME EXTREMELY TIGHT AND DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT APPLIED FORCE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL WHICH DID NOT STOP THE VEHICLE, CAUSING THE CONTACT TO VEER TO THE RIGHT AND CRASH INTO A CURB AND THEN A STOP SIGN. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED HEAD INJURIES AND WHIPLASH, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), BUT EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE BEFORE THE RECALL REPAIR WAS PERFORMED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 139,000. UPDATED 5/29/15*CN THE CONSUMER HIT A CURB THEN A FIRE HYDRANT. UPDATED 04/05/16. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10702555

Mileage unknown · Nov 3, 2014
Air BagsCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 PONTIAC GRAND AM. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10-15 MPH, A TRAIN CRASHED INTO THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE AND OIL WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FRONT PASSENGER AND THE CONTACT SUSTAINED HEAD AND C…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 PONTIAC GRAND AM. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10-15 MPH, A TRAIN CRASHED INTO THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE AND OIL WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FRONT PASSENGER AND THE CONTACT SUSTAINED HEAD AND CHEST INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE AIR BAG WAS RECEIVED AFTER THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DEEMED TOTALED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI #10652093

139,000 miles · Sep 12, 2014
Air BagsCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC GRAND AM. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE REAR ENDED THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE SUFFERED INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILU…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC GRAND AM. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE REAR ENDED THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE SUFFERED INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 139,000. UPDATED 12/01/14*LJ UPDATED 01/27/15*JB

NHTSA ODI #10632781

171,989 miles · Sep 7, 2014
Air BagsElectrical SystemCrash

TUESDAY, 24 APR 2007 1500 HOURS AFTER WORKDAY ENDED, I-25 SOUTHBOUND AT COLORADO MILE MARKER 104 RIGHT LANE, WEATHER PARTLY CLOUDY WITH PARTLY WET ROADWAY, THE PONTIAC GRAND AM 2003 I WAS DRIVING AT 55 MPH STARTED FRONT DRIVE SHAKING. THE VEHICLE RAN OFF THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY AND ROLLED ONE AND ONE-HALF TIMES IN THE B…

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TUESDAY, 24 APR 2007 1500 HOURS AFTER WORKDAY ENDED, I-25 SOUTHBOUND AT COLORADO MILE MARKER 104 RIGHT LANE, WEATHER PARTLY CLOUDY WITH PARTLY WET ROADWAY, THE PONTIAC GRAND AM 2003 I WAS DRIVING AT 55 MPH STARTED FRONT DRIVE SHAKING. THE VEHICLE RAN OFF THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY AND ROLLED ONE AND ONE-HALF TIMES IN THE BORROW DITCH. UPSIDE DOWN RESTRAINED BY THE SEAT BELT, I NOTICED THE PONTIAC'S AIR BAGS HAD NOT DEPLOYED AND THE ENGINE WAS NOT RUNNING. AFTER UNBUCKLING THE SEATBELT, I, WITH A SCARRED FOREHEAD, CLIMBED THROUGH THE DRIVERS SIDE BROKEN OUT WINDOW AND EXITED THE VEHICLE. THE COLORADO STATE PATROL ARRIVED, INVESTIGATED , HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE SALVAGE YARD, AND SENT ME TO THE LOCAL HOSPITAL, AN OUTPATIENT FOR THE FOREHEAD SCAR. 3 JULY 2014 NHTSA RECALL 14V400 AND GM RECALL N140350 UNINTENDED KEY ROTATION FOR MY 1999-2005 PONTIAC GRAND AM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10631343

56,000 miles · Jul 23, 2014
Air BagsCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED WHILE IDLING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A NECK INJURY. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FRONT BUMPER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPR…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED WHILE IDLING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A NECK INJURY. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FRONT BUMPER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,000.

NHTSA ODI #10615627

97,000 miles · Jun 18, 2014
Air BagsElectrical SystemStructure

THE DASH IS PEELING AND ROLLING UP IT HAS BROKE ALL THE VENTS AND HAS PUSHED THE TRIM AROUND THE SPEEDOMETER/ RIM ET DOWN AND OFF. MY AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON OFTEN AND IT IS A CONCERN FOR THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG THAT IS STARTING TO PUSH UP THE COVER. STARTING TO HAVE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS DUE TO IT PUSHING PRESSURE ON THE FUSE B…

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THE DASH IS PEELING AND ROLLING UP IT HAS BROKE ALL THE VENTS AND HAS PUSHED THE TRIM AROUND THE SPEEDOMETER/ RIM ET DOWN AND OFF. MY AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON OFTEN AND IT IS A CONCERN FOR THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG THAT IS STARTING TO PUSH UP THE COVER. STARTING TO HAVE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS DUE TO IT PUSHING PRESSURE ON THE FUSE BOXES. I ALSO HAVE IT PUSHING ON THE DOOR ALLOWING WATER TO RUN INTO MY CAR AT THE FUSE BOX SPEAKER AND INTO MY FLOOR. I SEE THIS PROBLEM IN SEVERAL OTHER VEHICLES WITH THE DASH. THESE PROBLEMS ARE A SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED AND FIXED BY GMC BEFORE A FAILURE TO ONE OF THESE SYSTEMS AND CAUSE INJURY OR DEATH. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10599139

Official recalls

2

14V400000 · Electrical System:ignition

Jul 3, 2014

This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on July 3, 2014, that they are recalling 5,877,718 model year 2000-2005 Chevrolet Impala and Monte Carlo, 1997-2003 Chevrolet Malibu, 2004-2005 Malibu Classic, 1999-2004 Oldsmobile Alero, 1998-2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue, 1999-2005 Pontiac Grand Am and 2004-2008 Pontiac Grand Prix vehicles. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over the key head on all ignition keys, free of charge. The recall began on September 9, 2014. GM's number for this recall is 14350.

04V528000 · Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal

Nov 1, 2004

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 124, 'ACCELERATOR CONTROL SYSTEMS.' IN HOT AMBIENT CONDITIONS, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ARM MAY STICK AT THE ATTACHMENT TO THE BRACKET AND NOT RETURN TO THE ENGINE IDLE POSITION WHEN THE OPERATOR LIFTS HIS FOOT FROM THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: FAILURE TO RETURN TO IDLE COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ARM AND REPLACE THE ACCELERATOR AND BRAKE PEDAL ASSEMBLY WITH A NEW ASSEMBLY, IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 20, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.